AGS Game Of The Week, 2024 Week 6

[Chalupa Batman]

A top 5 matchup, must-win conference showdowns, teams on the rise looking for a marquee win, there is no shortage of games to choose from this week.


Delaware @ #T35 Monmouth The Hawks were left for dead after the first 2 weeks but have since sprung back to life, and a win over the departing-for-FBS Blue Hens would catapult them squarely into conference title and playoff discussions. Uneligible for the playoffs, this is the first of many chances for Delaware to play spoiler in the CAA this season.

#26 Wofford @ #T35 Western Carolina A loss here by either team would leave them with very little margin for error to ensure a playoff bid at the end of the season. Both teams are likely considering this a must-win, the first of many such games we are likely to see in a typically balanced and competitive SoCon season............

#24 Chattanooga @ #16 East Tennessee State ............In fact, there’s a 2nd one already this week with this in-state showdown. Much like the Wofford/WCU game the loser here will have very little margin to be a surefire playoff team at the end of the season, while the winner could set themselves up nicely for a high seed come playoff time.

#6 Villanova @ #32 Stony Brook The Seawolves have sort of snuck their way into the national discussion so far, but they can kick that door wide open with a win over Villanova. The Wildcats came into the season with huge expectations but have looked lackluster at times even in winning all their FCS games so far, a road win here could jumpstart the rest of their season heading into the playoffs.

#5 North Dakota @ #3 North Dakota State Top 5 showdowns are always fun and full of intensity, and when the schools are in-state rivals and only 70 miles apart that should get ratcheted up even more.

#8 Central Arkansas @ #17 Abilene Christian After pushing Idaho to the limit 2 weeks ago, the Wildcats get another chance to take down a top-10 opponent at home. The Bears look for a 2nd straight ranked win heading into the soft portion of their schedule (West Georgia, North Alabama, @Utah Tech the next 3 games).

#20 Northern Arizona @ #10 Idaho Can the Lumberjacks build off their impressive win last week over Sac State? Meanwhile, after a grueling 5 game stretch to start the season, what looked like a bit of a breather before the season is yet another tough test for the Vandals. With a road trip to Bozeman looming next weekend, could the Vandals be caught napping in this one even coming off a loss?

#25 Illinois State @ #21 Southern Illinois Much like the SoCon games, this is most likely a do-or-die game for these teams that are both coming off blowout losses last week.

[FU_Paladin08]

Hard not to argue for UND and NDSU here. Someone has to lose, and if it’s NDSU they might fall further then most years since AGS seems to question that #3 ranking

[Chalupa Batman]

Hard not to argue for UND and NDSU here. Someone has to lose, and if it’s NDSU they might fall further then most years since AGS seems to question that #3 ranking

I try to go against the "homer" pick, but I had to go with UND/NDSU. This is a stacked slate of games this week IMO, every one of them are VERY intriguing. Should be an exciting weekend in the FCS!

[Bisonator]

Great slate of games but I gotta go with the home team this week!xnodx

[JALMOND]

Pretty much a no-brainer if you ask me. In-state bragging rights and the fact that it matches up two team in the top 5 puts the national spotlight on it as well. Hard to argue against North Dakota/North Dakota State for game of the week.

[MSUBobcat]

Agree with everyone so far (6-0 for UND-NDSU). There's some very solid games with major playoff implications, but add in a fierce rivalry to the only matchup of top 5 teams... gotta be GOTW.

Honorable mention to.... all the other options. A great slate of games on tap this weekend.

[Outsider1]

Ok, so I went with the homer pick..., but I think NDSU will win. In our game, eh... will see.

[JacksFan40]

Seems like an easy one. Big test for both UND and NDSU. Can UND continue their momentum and prove they belong in the title picture? Or will NDSU avenge last years embarrassment and prove they’re still one of the best in the FCS?

I’m picking NDSU because it’s in Fargo, not very confident in UND on the road.

[Go Green]

Still plenty of football left, but the Penn-Dartmouth winner on Saturday will most likely end up with at least a share of the Ivy title.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I second the sentiments of my fellow posters who stated they couldn't go against UND at NDSU given the rivalry aspect and game's impact nationally. I'm not sure where this meeting stacks up historically, but I have to believe this is the highest both teams have been ranked when they have met at the 1-AA/FCS level? Also, I'll go out on a limb by stating that this game will mark the most raucous Fargo Dome environment in several years. I would love to be there....

Some great games that deserve pub too..

Central Arkansas at Abilene Christian: ACU might be (at Tarleton?) the biggest obstacle that stands between UCA and a perfect record against FCS competition. This game will be worth watching!
Northern Arizona at Idaho: A 'Jack win would not shock me. They're darn good...

How about SDSU @ Northern Iowa? Have the Panthers fallen past the point of having any hope of an inspired, program reestablishing home upset? Crazy to think a game between these two border rivals is an afterthought....

[mvfcfan]

I picked Chattanooga vs ETSU, only because I have serious doubts that North Dakota will be able to upset NDSU in Fargo. I have no idea who will win the battle for Appalachia Tennessee, so that seems like a more interesting matchup to me.

[wcugrad95]

Several really interesting, in-state battles. And also crazy that all of these games are between ranked/nearly ranked/or previously ranked teams. A very good slate of FCS football this Saturday. There is still a slight chance that something weird could happen with the WCU and Wofford game, as I have heard not all of the Cats had made it back to campus as of yesterday, both schools have some issues dealing with water and where the athletes are staying, etc. I think Western has power and the roads are clear enough for Wofford to make it, but things like water, limited or possibly no availablity of EMS, etc. are all things that have to be 100% cleared up. I think we'll play, but sounds like the official word isn't going to come until later this afternoon or tomorrow.

As for the GOTW, like many have said it is hard to go against the ND/NDSU matchup. I also think the matchup between Central Arkansas and ACU is going to be a dandy, too. But I fully expect both of the North Dakota schools to make the playoffs regardless of the outcome of this game. The winner could probably be setup for a seed, but I am like a couple of others going with Chattanooga at ETSU. There are several people who still think UTC is a top-25 team who just got scheduled into their 0-3 start. There are several who also have quickly jumped on the ETSU bandwagon. This game could vault the Mocs back into serious playoff conversations, or could set ETSU up for a huge future showdown against Mercer in early November. The Mocs can't afford to be 1-4 and 0-2 in the SOCON, and the Bucs would like nothing more than to do that to them.

[Redbird 4th & short]

A top 5 matchup, must-win conference showdowns, teams on the rise looking for a marquee win, there is no shortage of games to choose from this week.


Delaware @ #T35 Monmouth The Hawks were left for dead after the first 2 weeks but have since sprung back to life, and a win over the departing-for-FBS Blue Hens would catapult them squarely into conference title and playoff discussions. Uneligible for the playoffs, this is the first of many chances for Delaware to play spoiler in the CAA this season.

#26 Wofford @ #T35 Western Carolina A loss here by either team would leave them with very little margin for error to ensure a playoff bid at the end of the season. Both teams are likely considering this a must-win, the first of many such games we are likely to see in a typically balanced and competitive SoCon season............

#24 Chattanooga @ #16 East Tennessee State ............In fact, there’s a 2nd one already this week with this in-state showdown. Much like the Wofford/WCU game the loser here will have very little margin to be a surefire playoff team at the end of the season, while the winner could set themselves up nicely for a high seed come playoff time.

#6 Villanova @ #32 Stony Brook The Seawolves have sort of snuck their way into the national discussion so far, but they can kick that door wide open with a win over Villanova. The Wildcats came into the season with huge expectations but have looked lackluster at times even in winning all their FCS games so far, a road win here could jumpstart the rest of their season heading into the playoffs.

#5 North Dakota @ #3 North Dakota State Top 5 showdowns are always fun and full of intensity, and when the schools are in-state rivals and only 70 miles apart that should get ratcheted up even more.

#8 Central Arkansas @ #17 Abilene Christian After pushing Idaho to the limit 2 weeks ago, the Wildcats get another chance to take down a top-10 opponent at home. The Bears look for a 2nd straight ranked win heading into the soft portion of their schedule (West Georgia, North Alabama, @Utah Tech the next 3 games).

#20 Northern Arizona @ #10 Idaho Can the Lumberjacks build off their impressive win last week over Sac State? Meanwhile, after a grueling 5 game stretch to start the season, what looked like a bit of a breather before the season is yet another tough test for the Vandals. With a road trip to Bozeman looming next weekend, could the Vandals be caught napping in this one even coming off a loss?

#25 Illinois State @ #21 Southern Illinois Much like the SoCon games, this is most likely a do-or-die game for these teams that are both coming off blowout losses last week.


very fair point on my ISUr vs SIU .. though I think seasons can have a couple inflection points. Both teams dealing with injuries and not living up to expectations. I had high hopes for my Redbirds ... haven't lost all hope, but to put a twist on the Dennis Green quote ... we aren't who we thought we were !!

[Outsider1]

The UCA vs ACU game will for sure have conference championship and play-off implications if ACU wins. If UCA wins, there could still be implications but there would be much more in play. Factor in both the UCA/ACU and the Tarleton/SUU games this weekend and there is a lot on the line for the end of the season for the UAC.

[Reign of Terrier]

I voted for the one in North Dakota.

[geaux_sioux]

It’s an obvious pick. Also obvious to pick NDSU to win since UND sucks on the road